- Pumas UNAM have won three of their last five matches (Drawn 1, lost 1) after a 4-0 home win over Santos followed by a 2-0 win at Monterrey.
- Cruz Azul have won their last five competitive matches, including away games at Monterrey and Santos, and a 3-0 home triumph over Atlético San Luis.
- The last three have all been very close, with Pumas winning 3-2 away from home in November 2025.
Cruz Azul have Pumas’ number
Cruz Azul are the bookmakers’ favourites at 2.12 to win Sunday’s top-of-the-table Liga MX 2025-2026 clash against Pumas UNAM, who are in the running at 3.27 with a draw priced at 3.38.
The visitors have played the better football so far this year, but Pumas are a dangerous opponent at home and in their own backyard where they have been very good.
Machos Aztecas are a highly structured team that play at pace with an aggressive pressing style and flexible system in which wingbacks can move inside to allow wide midfielders to push on.
Nicolás Larcamón’s men have found a formula that is working with a top-of-the-table surge that has seen them pick up around 25 points from 10 Clausura 2026 matches, leaving Pumas UNAM in the upper half on about 19.
Their midfield engine, José Paradela, has created a host of chances and contributed to goals throughout the Clausura 2026 campaign.
Altitude and home crowd can sway things for Pumas
Agustín Palavecino provides the attacking thrust that has fired Cruz Azul’s run, scoring or assisting in recent matches, while the pace and finishing of wide men like Carlos Rotondi and Luka Romero make them very dangerous.
Efraín Juárez has got Pumas pressing urgently and making quick transitions, but they are not consistent enough to maintain the momentum they build in some games.
Robert Morales and Jordan Carrillo offer their most obvious threat going forward, but they also have the likes of Guillermo Martínez, who scored the winner at Necaxa, while veteran keeper Keylor Navas provides a calming influence and some crucial saves.
This is one of Mexico’s greatest rivalries and with both sides in the top pack, there is plenty on the line in Jornada 11 with a Cruz Azul win extending their lead at the top of the Clausura and their title credentials, while a Pumas victory would keep the race close and their Liguilla ambitions on track.
Both teams to score - yes is the obvious play here at 1.62 with the profiles of both sides set up to attack and their previous meetings full of fireworks. We think the home advantage, altitude and passion of the home crowd will help Pumas find a way to take the win in the second half, but it is likely to be very close, so we’ll take the draw no bet market on the favourites in the title race.
